Abstract

Objective The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is well known, although the extent to which body weight may act as a confounder or mediator in this relationship is uncertain. The aim of this study was examine whether the association between CRF and cardiometabolic risk factors is mediated by BMI.

Results In girls, BMI acts as a full mediator in the relationship between CRF and CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK factors, with the exception of log TG/HDL-c ratio. In boys, BMI acts as a full mediator in the relationship between CRF and both log TG/HDL-c ratio and MAP, and as a partial mediator in the relationship between CRF and CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK factors.

Conclusions BMI mediates the association between CRF and MetS in schoolchildren. Overall, good levels of CRF are associated with lower cardiometabolic risk, particularly when accompanied by weight reduction.